The real DVR viewing standout for the week of October 12-18 was Grey's Anatomy, which not only had the biggest absolute ratings increase of the week from DVR viewing (1.6 ratings points), but the fifth biggest increase on a % basis (32%). Thursday 9pm is crowded with strong shows, and all the broadcast competition (Office, CSI, Supernatural, Fringe, 30 Rock) was in the top 20 for % ratings gained by DVR viewing.

Typically, shows with tiny ratings top the list of biggest % ratings increase from DVR viewing. No different this week, as Melrose Place, with among the weakest new episode ratings on English broadcast for the week, got the biggest % increase. That tiny 0.3 ratings point addition is a big jump in the Live+7 rating over the 0.7 Live+SD rating.

Dollhouse fans, your show didn't air the week of October 12-18.

Disclaimer: all the numbers we have seen point to a scenario where the additional days of DVR viewing beyond the Live+SD numbers play almost no role in a shows’ fate. In a recent conversation with the head of research for a broadcast network he agreed that perhaps 10% of the viewing beyond the Live+SD period serves to increase the C+3 commercial ratings that are used to price advertising.

Note that the tables below contain adults 18-49 demo program ratings, not millions of viewers.

The 18-49 Demo Increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the top broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the largest absolute adults 18-49 ratings increase in viewing by DVR in their adults 18-49 Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows after the airdate on their digital video recorders (DVRs).

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The 18-49 Demo % Increase From DVR Viewing ranks which of the top broadcast shows [by Live+7 viewers] had the largest percentage adults 18-49 ratings increase in viewing by DVR in their adults 18-49 Live+7 audience numbers from viewers watching shows after the airdate on their digital video recorders (DVRs).
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Definitions:

DVR (Time-shifted) Viewing – Program ratings for national sources are produced in three streams of data –Live, Live+Same Day(Live+SD) and Live+7 Day. Time shifted figures account for incremental viewing that takes place with DVRs. Live+Same Day(Live+SD) include viewing during the same broadcast day as the original telecast, with a cut-off of 3:00AM local time when meters transmit daily viewing to Nielsen for processing. Live+7 Day ratings include incremental viewing that takes place during the 7 days following a telecast.

DVR Viewers Past Airdate - How many people watched the show on their DVRs within 7 days following the airdate

% of All Viewing By DVR Past Airdate - Of the total viewing of that particular episode, what percentage was done via DVR.

Because of emerging practices in the TV media, and our access to the relevant data, we're making a pretty fundamental change in the way we present DVR data. Up until the 2009-2010 season, we used the show's Live program rating or viewership as the base upon which the Live+7 day DVR viewing was added. Now, the press seems to be standardizing around using Live+Same Day DVR viewing as the base for the calculations, plus our access to Live ratings is somewhat erratic and restricted. While there are both positive and negative aspects to basing increases on Live+SD, after discussion, Robert and I decided to make the change.